Palm Trees in Arizona

I was at the gas station today and noticed the landscaper working on the palm trees. This was not something I would have ever seen in the mid-west. These were mature very tall palm trees. He was climbing the tree in a manner similar to a technician climbing a telephone pole. He had a belt around his waist hooked to a chain which was looped around the tree. He was wearing shoes with spikes. He was trimming off the rough criss-cross bark to create a smooth bark. He would circle the tree with his knife and pull off a round of bark. Then he would move up a bit and do it again. I assume that when he got to the top, he would remove any dead fronds up there.

There are a lot of palm trees grown in the Phoenix area. There are a number of different varieties. Desert Palms provides a lot of detailed information about the different types of palm trees that will grow in the Phoenix area. Palm trees have developed an association with a resort or vacation destination. So if you want to create a mini-resort in your back yard. Plant a palm tree or two. Put a hammock or lounge chair underneath and get yourself a drink with an umbrella in it. Then relax and enjoy!